Motor operated time switch



Dec. 15, 1931.

. DENMAN MOTOR OPERATED TIME SWITCH Filed Feb. 20, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 l .I I

* INVENTOR far/ 14./ en/Wax? j ATTORNEY Dec. yl5, 1931. E. w. DENMAN MOTOR OPERATED TIME SWITCH Filed Feb. 20, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Ear! W Denman wlTNEss/Elyi/ /05 49@ .of BY @7AM Dec. l5, 1931. E w DENMAN MOTOR OPERATED TIME SWITCH Filed Feb. 20, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 VENTOR [fa/ W Denman AT TOR N EY Dec. 15, 1931. E. w. DENMAN A MOTOR OPERATED TIME SWITCH 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 20

lNvENToR Ear! W en/mm Patented Dec. 15, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE EARL W. DENMAN, F SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA7 ASSIGNOR T0 WESIINGHO'USE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION 0F PENNSYLVANIA MOTOR QPERATED TIME SWITCH Application led February 20, 1924. Serial No. 694,021.

My invention relates to electrical protective devices and particularly to motoroperated time switches.

One object of my invention is to provide a motor-operated time switch in which the clock is wound to a predetermined limit upon every operation of the motor before the switch is actuated bythe motor.

Another object of my invention is to provide a time switch having a single motor for winding the clock and operating the switch.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a. motor-operated time switch having a motor-wound clock and a lookin means associated therewith for preventing the winding of the clock beyond a predetermined limit when the switch is actuated by the motor.

A further object of my invention is to provide a motor-operated time switch in which the motor imparts a predetermined torque to thel time element, after which the motor actuates the switch.

In practicing my invention, I provide a motor for actuating a clock mechanism, and a snap switch. The motor is controlled by the clock mechanism for actuating the switch, and upon each operation of the motor, the clock mechanism is wound to a predetermined limit before the switch is actuated. With this disposition of parts, accurate operation of the clock may be insured because it is not required to perform any undue amount of work, as it merely controls a plurality of auxiliary switches in the motor circuit, thereby causing the motor to operate at predetermined intervals of time.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is a view, partially in elevation and partially in section, of a time switch embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a front view in elevation, of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a-vieW, partially in plan and partia-ily in section, along the line III--IIII of Fig. 2 ot the auxiliary switch tripping mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a view, partially in elevation and partially in section, of an oil-immersed switch embodyingmy invention; y

Fig. 5 is a side View in elevation of the device shown in Fig. 4, portions of the casin being broken for clearness;

ig. 6 is a side view in elevation of the time element embodied in my invention, a

locking device cooperating with the winding spring thereof and a modified form of an auxiliary switch tripping mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a sectional View taken along the line VII-VII ot Fig. 6, showing a spring locking device;

Fig. 8 is a front view in elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view of apparatus and circuits embodying the form of' my inmechanism 4, a snap switch 5, and a tripping switch 6. The casing 2 is provided with an opening 7 in the bottom thereof to permit electric conductors (not shown) to be inserted for connection to a plurality of terminals 8. The casing 2 is also provided with a cover member 9 for enclosing same.

The clock mechanism 4 comprises an escapement 11, a winding gear 12, and a main spring 18 that is disposed in a supporting member 14 and operatively connected thereto at its outer end. The inner end of the spring 13 is connected to a shaft 15 upon which is mounted a gear 16 cooperating with the escapement 11. The shaft is also provided with a time dial 17 having a toothed periphery 18 adapted to be engaged by indented portions 19 of a plurality of independent arms 21. The arms 21 are also provided with projections 22 that are adapted to cooperate with a tripping arm 23 of the tripping switch 6 for a purpose hereinafter described.

The outer portion of the time dial 17 adjacent to the toothed periphery 18 is divided, preferably, into 48 equal divisions, representing the 24 hours of'a day, divided into half hour periods. The arms 21 are so set that the portions 19 register with markings on the time dial, correspondingvto the desired time when the switch 5 is to befactuated, one of the arms 21 indicating the timerthe switch will close and the other ofthe arms 21 indicating the time the switch will open. time dial 17 is rotatably driven countercloclwise by the clock mechanism 4 through frictional engagement with a hub member a that is keyed to the shaft 15. y

AThe time dial 17 is loosely mounted on the shaft 15 and is held in trictional engagement with the hub member- 15a by a spring washerr 17a. The time dial 17 can be manually rotated on the shaft 15 in a clockwise or counter-clockwise directionV for the` purpose of setting the clock toY the correct Ytime of the day. n

The winding gear 12 is driven counterclockwise'by the motor 3 and 1s prevented from turning clockwise by a; ratchet Wheel 24 cooperating with a pawl member 25, adjacent to the winding gear 12. The pawl member is held in engagement with the ratchet.

wheel 24 by aV spring member 26.

As'the time dial 17 is rotated, the arms 21 pass beneath a stationary pointer 27 at predetermined Aintervals of time and the projections 22 of the arms 21 engage the tripping arm 23, thereby actuating the tripping switch 6. Y l Y Thetripping switch 6 comprises a plurality of cam members 28 and 29,adapted to cooperate with a pluralityV of switches V31 and- Y 32,V respectively, in the motor circuit. The

y cam faces of cam members -28 and 29 are in staggered relation with one another providing an alternate operation of the switches 31 and 32, respectively., A ratchet wheel 33 adjacent to the cam members 28l and 29v is rotated by a pawl member 34 pivotally mounted on the tripping arm 23 and held in engagement with the ratchet-wheel 33 by a spring 35. When the tripping arm 23 is actuated, the ratchet-'wheel 33 and the cam.members 28 and 29 are rotated, simultaneously closing one of the switches 31 and 32 and per- `mitting'the other switch to open.

Vhenthe one or the other of the switches 31 and 32 is closed, the motor 3 will operate to wind the main spring 13 of they clock 4 through a dierential gear 36 and a geartrain 37, until the main spring 13is wound*V to a predetermined limit.V When thefmain spring`13 is wound to its maximum limit, the motor 3 will continue to function-through the diiierentialgear 36 and a gear train-38 to the snap switch 5, for the actuation thereof to its open or closed position. Y

The'snap switch5 comprises` a spindle 39, upon which is mounted a gear 41 cooperating withthe gear train 38, andl a plurality of" i bridging contact members 42 and 43, insu- TheV lated therefrom. The members 42 and 43V cooperate with a plurality of stationarycon- Y tact members 44, 45 and 46, 47, 48 and 49, respectively. A torsion spring 51 is Ydisposed on the spindle 39 having one end connected to the spindle 39, andI therother end connected to the bridging contact members 42 and 43 to actuate the latter.

A mechanism, of any type well-knownin the art, for limparting a snapL action tothe motor circuit, for preventing the switch5` from operating during a 24-hour period, is actuated by the clock mechanism 4 through a gear train The device 52 comprises `a shaft 54 havinga gear. 55 disposed thereon and a dial 56- disposed atfthe outer end there-` of. A cam member 57 havingan integral arm 58 is rotatably disposed on thevshaft 54 adl Vjacent to the dial 56. The arm 58 extends beyond the edgey of the dial 56, the outer end thereof having'an indented portion 59 that is adapted to cooperate withl anyone of a Y plurality of depressions G1 equally spaced around the periphery of the dial 56'. v Y The dial 56 is' provided with markings, dividing the portion adjacent the periphery into 7 equal divisions, each having onel of the depressions 61 therein. Each division represents one dayof the week. f

When it is desired to maintaintheswitch 5inoperativefor any one day, the arm 58 is set s o. that the portion 59 registers with the depression. 61 vcorresponding to the desired day. The dial V56 is rotated by the clock mechanism 4, and the dial in turn rotates the cam member 57 therewith until the cam member 57 engages a cooperating cam member 62V of a skip-day switch 63, thereby actuating the switch and opening the motor circuit. The

switch63 is Vinseries connection with the switches 31 and 32. The switch 63 is held open so long as the cam 57 is in engagement with the cam` portion 62, thereby preventing actuationk of switch 5 during the kperiod of engagementof said cam members.

`Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, a spring locking device 64 is disposedv adjacent tothe spring supporting member 14, for preventinga the spring 13V from being wound beyond a predetermined limit. The spring locking device 64 is` provided with a gear` wheel 65, adapted to cooperate with a pinion 66 disposed on the sha-ft 15. The gear wheel 65 is rotatably mounted on a spindle 67 that isl integral with the springsupporting member- 14 and a `latch member 68, also supported by the spindle 67 adjacent` to the gear 65, is adaptedV to be turned into engagement with the teeth of the pinion 66, thereby preventing further rotation of the winding gear 12. A pin 69 integral with the gear 65 is adapted for engaging the latch member 68 and bringingitinto engagement with the pinion 66, as shown in broken lines in Fig. 7.

. The gear wheel rotates about the pinion 66, the pin 69 carried thereby making one revolution before it engages the latch member 68, The clock spring 13 can be wound to run the clock mechanism 4 for several days with onewinding, the length of running time depending upon the gear-ratio of the gear wheel 65 and the pinion 66.

The spring locking device 64 .also prevents the clock spring 13 from unwinding beyond 'a predetermined limit, should the clock run for several days without having been wound. During the period that the Clock spring 13 is unwinding, the gear wheel 65 is rotated in a clockwise direction and upon its second revolution engages the latch member 68 and moves it into engagement with the teeth of the pinion 66, as shown in dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 7, thereby preventing further operation of the clock mechanism 4 until the clock spring 13 is rewound.

A modified form of the auxiliary switch tripping mechanism from that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is shown in Figs. 6 and 8, comprising a star-wheel 71 mounted on a shaft l72-7 and a plurality of cam members 73 and 74 also carried by the shaft 72 adjacent the star-wheel 71. The cam members 73 and 74 are provided with a plurality of cam-faces 75 and 76, respectively, that are in staggered relation with one another. The cam members 73 and 74 are rotated simultaneously with the star-wheel 71 and their cani-faces 75 and 76 engage the horizontally mounted switches 31 and 32, respectively, for controlling the motor.

A clear understanding of the electrical connections used with the apparatus shown in Figs. l and 2 may be had by referring to Fig. 9 in which electric conductors 77 and 78 -are connected to the stationary contact members 4o and 48, respectively, of the switch 5. A second pair of electric conductors 79 and 81 are connected from the stationary contact members 44 and 46, respectively, of the switch 5, to van electrical apparatus, (not from conductor 77 through stationary contact member 45, bridging member 42, stationary contact member 44, conductor 79, through an electrical apparatus (not shown), conductor 81, stationary Contact member 46, bridging member 43 and stationary contact member 48 to conductor 78.

A motor circuit comprises a plurality of conductors 82, 83 and 84 connected to the stationary contacts 47 46 andy 45, respectively, of switch 5. The switch 5 is shown in the open position with respect to the controlled circuit, but the motor circuit is closed and the motor 3 is in the operation of winding the clock mechahism. The motor circuit then extends from the conductor 7 8, through the stationary Contact member 49, bridging member 43, stationary contact member 47, conductor 82, switch 31, skip-day switch 63, motor 3, conductor 84 and stationary contact member 45, to the conductor 77. This circuit is interrupted between the members 43 and 47 when the switch 5 is actuated to its closed position by the motor 3.

When the switch 5 is in its closed position, the bridging contact member 43 is placed in a second motor circuit that is not completely established until the switch 32 is closed by the auxiliary tripping switch 6. The motor circuit then extends from conductor 78, through the stationary Contact member 48, bridging contact member 43, stationary contact member 46, conductor 83, switch 32, skipday switch 63, motor 3, eonductor'84 and stationary contact member 45 to the conductor 77.

In Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, l have illustrated another form of the device, wherein the mechanism, employed with the airsnap switch 5 in Figs. 1 and 2, is employed 1f"- with an oil switch 85. Certain reference numerals used in Figs. 1 and 2 are used to designate like elements in Figs. 4 and 5. The timing mechanism 4 is enclosed within a suitable casing 86 having a cover 87. 86 is provided with a plurality of electrical terminals 88 for electrically connecting the motor 3 contained therein, with the oil switch 85.

The oil switch 85 is disposed within a suitwith the switch 85, extend through the top portion 91 of the casing 89 and are insulated therefrom by a plurality of bushings or insulators 99.

The switch 85 is mounted upon the panel 93 that also supports two sets of stationary The casing 1 switcli-jaw members1101 and 102,.between which switchshaft 103 is mounted upon bearings 104 and `105. The' shaft 103 carries a switch.- lademember 106 for each pair of switch-jaws 101 and 102 and is oper. ted by. means of a toothed `arm or rack member 107 that cooperates with a gear sector 108 locsely supported on theshat l103v and secured to the blade member or members 106. switch operating mechanism 109, that may be of any preferred type, so .connects the gear' jsector 1081witli the switch shaft 103 that a predetermined angular movement of the gear sector 108 causes the-switch-blade membersV 106fto. rotate into or out of engagement with the switchjaw members 101 and 102 with a snap action;

As mechanisms for imparting a snap action to switchshafts are oldand well-known in the art, and as the mechanism herein illustrate'd Jforms no part or my invention, except insofar it is necessary to complete the com V bination with the other elements of the 1n- Vention.l it is believedto. be unnecessary to here describe in detail the operationv of this device. Y 1t will be understood, however, that the switch action is such that, when the gear fsector 108 is turnedV substantially through c in either clockwise or'counter-clockwise direction, the switch-blade member or mem- 'il and 5 may be had by referring to Fig. 10,

in which'electric conductors 115 and 116 are connected to one pair of the terminals 98 of the switch 85. A second pair of electric conductors 117 and 118 connect the other pair of terminals 98 of the switch 85 to an electrical apparatus (not shown) to be time controlled.

Upon closing switch 85, the movable bridging contact members 106 willV bridge the stationary contact members 101 and 1021, thereby establishing a circuit through the switch 85.

l/Vhen the switch 85 is closed, the current of the controlled circuitwill traverse a circuit from conductor 115 through terminal 98, stationary Contact member 101, bridging contact member 106, stationary contactmember 102, terminal 98, conductor 117 ,through an elec# trical apparatus (not shown) conductor 118, terminal 98, stationary Contact member 102,

'ff bridging contact member 106, stationary contact member101 and terminal 98 to conductor 116.

'A motor circuit comprising a plurality oli` conductors 119 vand 121 is also connected through the switch 85 for operating Vthe motor. The conductor 119 is indirectly con-Y nected to one of the blade members 106. vThe switch 85 shown in its closed position, and the motor 3 is in the operation vof winding'the clock mechanism 4, then the motor circuit eX- tends from the conductor 119 through they switch-blade member 106, switch-jaw k102, conductor 122, terminal 88, conductor 123,

,contactor switch 31, skip-day switch 63 and the motor 3 to thel conductor 121. This circuit is maintained until the 'switch-85 is ac# tuated, at which time the motor circuit'will be opened by the separationof thegswitch-V` blade 106 from the switch-jaws 102.k

' lhen the switch 85 is in its open position with respect to the controlled circuit, the switch-blade 106 that is connected in the motor circuit will be in engagement with the switch-j aw 101, but the motor circuit will still be broken dueto the fact that the switch 32 is beingheld open by the auxiliary tripping switch'. When the tripping switch mechanism 6- isactuated to permit the closing of theY switch 32, the motor circuit will be then closed and the circuit will extend from conductor 119, through the switch-blade member 106,`

switch-jaw 101, conductor 124, terminal 88,

conductor125, switch 32, skip-day switch 63V and motor 3 through conductor 121.

, By my invention, 1 provide aV dependableV motor-actuated time switch, the operation of which ma7 be exceedingly accurate as the clock spring Vis not required to do any work except to control the motor, the switch being actuated by the direct motor drive.

2. 1n a timeswitch, a motor, a clock, a snapV switch actuatedby said motor,'and a differential gear-train for transmitting Aenergy from said motor through saiddifl'erential 7 auV4 gear for winding said clock toa predetermined limit and for actuating said switch upon every operation of said motor.

3. 1n a time switch, a motor, a clock, a snap switch actuated by said motor, a diiijerential gear, a 'plurality o f gear-trains cooperating' with said dilerential gear for transmittingenergy from said motor for winding saidV clock and for actuating said snapv switch afterV said clock has been wound to a predetermined limit upon every operation of said motor.

4. In a time switch, a motor, a, clock mechanism, a rotatable switch actuated by said motor, and a gear-train comprising a differential gear and a plurality of gear wheels cooperating therewith, whereby mechanical energy is transmitted from said motor upon every operation thereof for winding the spring of said clock mechanism to a predetermined limit just prior to each movement of said switch.

5. In a time switch, a motor, a clock, a switch, a connecting gear-train, and a contactor device comprising a plurality of spring contactors, a plurality of cam members cooperating therewith, and means for periodically turning said cam members and thereby causing one set of contactors to close when a second set is opened, said contactors being connected to energize said motor for winding said clock and actuating said switch.

6. In an electrical system, a motor, a switch, a clock, means for connecting said motor to the spring of the clock and to the switch, a plurality of switches for controlling the operation of said motor, and a plurality of cam members for actuating the lastnamed switches alternatively in accordance with predetermined conditions of time, said motor also being controlled by the position of the first-named switch.

7. In an electrical system, a. motor, a switch,

la clock, means for mechanically connecting said motor to the spring of the clock and to the switch, a plurality of switches for starting the operation of said motor upon the closing of one of the last-named switches, and means for stopping the motor upon the operation ofthe first-named switch.

8. In a time switch, the combination with a motor, a clock adapted to be wound by said motor and a switch actuated thereby, of a locking device for preventing overwinding of said clock, said locking device comprising a gear, a pawl member adjacent said gear, means carried by said gear adapted to engage said pawl member, and a pinion mounted on the time-recording shaft of said clock and cooperating with said gear of the locking device adapted to be engaged by said pawl member when said clock is wound to its predetermined maximum limit.

9. In an electric time switch, the combination with a motor wound clock and a motor operated switch, said clock having a winding gear, a main spring, a spring supporting member adjacent to said winding gear, a driven time shaft adapted to extend through said spring supporting member and cooperating with said main spring, and a time driving gear disposed on said driven shaft, of a locking device disposed adjacent to said spring supporting member and said time driving gear, comprising a shaft secured to said spring supporting member, a gear disposed on said shaft, a pawl member loosely mounted on said shaft adjacent said gear, a pin integral with said gear and adapted to engage said pawl member, a pinion secured to saidv time shaft and cooperating with said gear supported by the spring enclosing member, said pinion being engaged by said pawl member when said clock has been wound to a predetermined limit, thereby preventing excessive winding of said clock.

10. A time-switch including a clock mechanism having a main spring and a time-controlled mechanism, in combination with a switch, an electric motor and means actuated by the time-controlled mechanism for operating the motor to wind the clock spring and to operate the switch at every actuation of said time controlled mechanism.

11. A time-switch including a clock mechanism having a main spring and a time-controlled mechanism, in combination with a switch, an electric motor, and means actuated by the time-controlled mechanism for starting the motor to wind the clock spring and to operate the switch, said motor being so connected that the operation of said switch stops the motor.

12. A time switch including a clock, a main switch, and time controlled means actuated by said clock at predetermined intervals, said main switch being operated by an electric motor, the circut of said motor being closed by said time controlled means to operate said switch at said predetermined intervals.

1.3. A time switch including a clock, a main switch, and time controlled means actuated by said clock at predetermined intervals, said main switch being operated by an electric motor, the circuit of said motor being closed by said time controlled means to operate said switch at said predetermined intervals, and means for winding said clock by said motor at said predetermined intervals.

1 4. A time switch including a clock, a main switch, and time controlled means actuated by said clock at predetermined intervals, said main switch being operated by an electric motor, the circuit of said motor being closed by said time controlled means to operate said switch at said predetermined intervals and means for winding said clock by said motor at said predetermined intervals, the winding of said clock and the operation of said switch taking place successively.

15. A time switch including a clock, a main switch, and time controlled means actuated by said clock at predetermined intervals, said main switch being operated by an electric motor, the circuit of said motor being closed by said time controlled means to operate said switch at said predetermined intervals, and the circuit of said motor being opened by the operation of said switch.

16. A time switch including a clock, a main switch, and Vtime' controlled means actuated by said clock at predetermined intervals, said main switch being operated by an electric motor,l the circuit of said motor beingc'losed by said time controlled means to operate said switch at said predetermined intervals and means for winding said clock by said motorV at said predetermined intervals, the winding of said ,clock taking place priorv to the opera tion of said switch. Y

17. A time switch including a clock, a main switch and time 'controlled' means actuated said clock at predetermined intervals, said main switch being,` operated by an electricV notor,Y the 'circuit vof said motor being closed by said time controlled means to operate said switch at said predetermined intervals and' means for windingsaid clock by sai-d motor at said predetermined intervals, the winding of said Vclock taking rplace prior to the operation n ofsaid switchs and Ithe circuit of Vspa-id motor being` opened by the-operation of said switch. ln testimony whereof, l have hereunto sub-` scribed my name this first day of February,

' f EARL w. DENMAN. 

